🇮🇱 Amit Segal on historic opportunity, but implementation is the real test: Journalist Amit Segal described the framework as the political solution many argued was needed to conclude the war. He said it recognizes Israel's continued presence in the security zone while Hezbollah exists, calls for Hezbollah's disarmament, recognizes Israel's legitimacy and sovereignty, and ends rocket fire.
At the same time, he cautioned that many Israelis suspect Hezbollah will not actually disarm despite the agreement, making implementation the true measure of success. He concluded that another Arab country has effectively recognized Israel's legitimacy under an American umbrella, calling it another step forward in a long regional struggle.
🔸 Israeli political reactions: Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said the agreement should ultimately be judged by whether Kiryat Shmona recovers before Hezbollah does, and whether residents of Metula, Kiryat Shmona, and Shlomi can once again raise their children without fear of Hezbollah's resurgence.
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir called the agreement "a big mistake" and requested a cabinet vote. He argued Lebanon cannot be relied upon to disarm Hezbollah because Hezbollah members serve as ministers in the Lebanese government.
"Only IDF soldiers will destroy Hezbollah — no other entity will do it for us."
Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich welcomed the agreement, saying reserve soldiers and their families have helped reshape the Middle East. He argued Israel now maintains security zones in both Gaza and Lebanon, has international legitimacy to continue military action until Hamas and Hezbollah are disarmed, and that Iran has emerged significantly weaker militarily, politically, and economically.
❗️ Hezbollah rejects framework: Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem rejected the Lebanon-Israel framework, accusing the Lebanese government of abandoning sovereignty and making "gratuitous concessions" to Israel.
He argued the government surrendered leverage by moving against Hezbollah during the war, claimed the previous memorandum already required a full Israeli withdrawal within 60 days, and warned the new framework could legitimize a prolonged Israeli presence and eventually lead to annexation of disputed territory.
Qassem insisted any agreement must be limited to Israeli withdrawal from south of the Litani River and said linking withdrawal to Hezbollah's disarmament or broader internal Lebanese issues "crosses all red lines."
He called the Washington framework "humiliating, shameful, and a surrender of sovereignty," urged implementation of the Iranian-American memorandum of understanding instead, and declared Hezbollah "will not abandon the field."
🇺🇸 President Trump congratulated Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on the signing of the U.S.-brokered Lebanon-Israel framework agreement, reaffirming U.S. support for Lebanon's sovereignty, stability, and the implementation of the agreement. Trump pledged continued backing for the Lebanese Army, state institutions, and the Lebanese economy, emphasizing that state authority should extend across all Lebanese territory.
President Aoun thanked Trump and reaffirmed that the Lebanese state and army will assume responsibility for implementing the agreement and deploying to the international border as Israeli forces withdraw. He urged Washington to ensure compliance with the agreement, including pressuring Israel to complete its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, and Trump said he looks forward to meeting Aoun soon in Washington.
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